CAST OF CHARACTERS:T.V. REPORTER: (Speaks 1601 words) Zaz Wonderblab reporting on the Fire in the Belly contest and all the events in the story. Cue cards could be used with someone standing next to the camera man.MARY MAGDALA: (Speaks 597 words) A dancer with a sordid past becomes a follower of Jesus after she is delivered from seven demons.SLICK: (243 words) The captain of the demon team. On stage in the balcony throughout
BRIATHOS: (124 words) Captain of the angel team. On stage in the balcony throughout
MARTHA: (Speaks 216 words) Sister to Mary of Bethany. Very dramatic and moody.
MARY OF BETHANY: (Speaks 180 words) Strong follower of Jesus.
MARY: (Speaks 164 words) This is the mother of Jesus. She is a young woman in first scene and then ages 30 years. You could use two different actresses.
JESUS: (Speaks 69 words) He’s on stage a lot though not speaking a lot.
GABRIEL: (Speaks 143 words) The angel who visits Mary.
WORK SLAVE DRIVER: (Speaks 281 words) The demon who tempts Martha.
NO TRICKSTER: (Speaks 195 words) The demon who tempts Mary.
LOSER MONSTER: (68 words) The demon who tempts Mary Magdalene.
AEROBICS PATRON: (Speaks 138 words) These lines could be divided up with others.
WEDDING COORDINATOR: (107 words)
OTHER PATRON: (48 words)
WAITER: (32 words)
CAMERA MAN: (7 words) PLUS EXTRAS: Lazarus, various angels and demons, wedding guests, disciples, patrons at aerobics, cue card holder.
The set is basically two balconies with angels and demons on each. A scrim is used for the crucifixion scene, and it can hang between the balconies. The set changes need to take place quickly, the kitchen set being the most difficult. Perhaps something that can be rolled on stage quickly. Costumes can vary. Be creative. The TV Reporter and his crew are modern day. You may decide to make everyone dress in modern clothes, but Jesus needs to stand out. He can either be the only one in Biblical dress, or in some way noticeable that he is Jesus. Perhaps everyone will be in Biblical costumes and it appears that the reporter has gone back in time. The camera man should have a nice large camera that he hold on his shoulder. Large scoreboards are needed for the two teams. Probably a white board will work. How to do the tomb can be another creative idea. Simple or complex.
Excerpt:
LIGHTS UP ON:
SCENE ONE:
The stage is set with two balconies. These can look like old fashioned Italian balconies and there is a scrim hanging between them. On each balcony is a scoreboard and characters there to keep score and basically cheer on their side. One side are angels and the other are demons. The first scene opens with the two teams planning the game. A camera crew enter… perhaps in front of the stage, so the camera doesn’t block the reporter from audience view. When he looks at the camera, he faces the audience.
TV REPORTER
This is Zaz Wonderblab reporting from a place where none of us have ever been or probably ever will be. In fact, most of us may not even be aware that this place exists and that there are beings here who live and perform functions without any human eye seeing them. Today, you are about to witness an exclusive appearance and viewing of this most interesting activity. You can see behind me, two balconies. There seems to be some kind of scoreboard to keep score for what I have been told is called the “Fire in the Belly” contest. If we listen carefully, I believe we will hear the two sides in battle.
SLICK
Bring it on, Angel boy! Give us your best shot! You’re going down!
BRIATHOS
I like what we agreed upon – the one who influences the most gains the points.
SLICK
The people are weak! They always listen to us! Where… listening to you means doing the right thing… and that, as we all know, is so much more difficult!
BRIATHOS
Don’t be so quick, Slick! Time will tell.
SLICK
I’m so confident that we will win, that I tell you what… I will allow you to select the subjects.
BRIATHOS
Very well. I choose Tres Marias.
SLICK
What? Who?
BRIATHOS
The three Marys.
SLICK
Three women, all named Mary? Ha! Women are so weak! You don’t stand a chance! Who are these women?
BRIATHOS
The first is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Then Mary of Bethany and lastly, Mary Magdalene.
SLICK
Oh… you think you are clever! But these women will be weak, I assure you. I have 3 from my team ready to go… and believe me, they are very influential! No Trickster, Work Slave Driver and Loser Monster. Your women will be wimps… not a chance that they will have Fire in the Belly!
BRIATHOS
Bring it on! Here she comes now.
Mary enters the stage below and kneels down to pray. For more set and props, there could be a bed or mat that she is kneeling beside. Gabriel enters.
TV REPORTER
It appears that we are going to be able to see the famous visit of the angel, Gabriel to the virgin Mary.
SLICK
What is this? He’s a messenger! She will be able to see him! That’s not fair! Come forth, No Trickster!
One of Slick’s men enters and sneaks around to be near Mary. When Mary looks up, she sees Gabriel, but she does not see the demon.
TV REPORTER
It appears that another visitor has come. I don’t remember this one from the stories I’ve heard. Let’s watch.
GABRIEL
Greetings… Highly favored one… the Lord is with you!
NO TRICKSTER
What is that? A monster? Why has he appeared to you in your very room? Be afraid! Be very afraid!
Mary’s fear is evident.
Slick’s team cheers and they mark a point
GABRIEL
Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
Mary calms down quickly and believes He is safe. Briathos reacts and marks a point.
SLICK
Unfair! He’s doing that comforting angel thing!
GABRIEL
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.
SLICK
What?!!?
NO TRICKSTER
I’ve got this. This can’t be! There is no way that you will give birth! You are a virgin! No way! You don’t know any men! This is very confusing to hear!
MARY
This can’t be. I am a virgin. I am confused by what you are saying.
Slick cheers and marks a point
GABRIEL
The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.
SLICK
The Son of God!??? What is this?
NO TRICKSTER
Say no! This can’t be true! Do you believe this story? What he is suggesting is impossible!
Mary still looks a bit confused until Gabriel smiles at her. She relaxes and smiles back.
MARY
I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.
NO TRICKSTER
NO!!!
BRIATHOS
That-a-girl!
He marks a point. Gabriel exits and Mary exits a different way… No Trickster is standing there alone and angry… he finally storms off.
SLICK
You never said that you were bringing the Son of God into this! A little warning next time!
BRIATHOS
I’m sorry, but no one was privy to that information. But I tell you what, I will give you another chance with that Mary. We will go into the future as she attends a friend’s wedding with her now grown son.
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